Commuting - Doofus factor provokes harrassment?

I ride mostly after dusk because of the reduction of traffic, cooler temps and the generally calmer vibe the 'burbs offer at this time. Presently I don only reflective bands and a light colored jacket because I have noticed a tenfold increase in incidents of harrassment when wearing a blinking light and, yes, even my helmet. I believe drooling, insecure, subliterate young'ins see a "safety nerd" and decide to test their aim with a scooter pie. I truly feel safer having made a tradeoff that took the bullseye off my torso.

Think about this - they see the bands and jacket and light. That's why they are making fun of you, right?

That still means that THEY SAW YOU!!!

I ride at night almost all of the time, and trust me you want them to see you.

But I only use the lights, and no bands, and dress in black, and yes a helmet - don't do the tradeoff, night is one of the worst times to ride and not be seen. Get your speed up and those young'ins would not be able to catch you or hit you.

You do need the lights, though, and the helmet. In the dark, cars can't see you a lot of the time. You have to make sure they know that you're there - to hell with the kids.

It's difficult to say. Reflective gear doesn't normally present an increase in harassment from rednecks around here, however wearing red does. I suppose you could call that the "poofter" factor (Red is considered one of "those" colours in Queensland). Riding after dusk could be an issue though, particularly on a Friday or Saturday evening. Have you tried riding before dawn and seeing what the results are like then?

Also, in some states it's required by law to have a white headlight and a red taillight.

I'd say better to be seen and given sh*t than to not be seen at all.

Getting something thrown at you constitutes assault. It doesn't matter what you're wearing, or doing. Report it as an assault. Blaming your treatment on wearing safety equipment makes as much sense as blaming a **** victim for "dressing that way".

Report it as an assault. Blaming your treatment on wearing safety equipment makes as much sense as blaming a **** victim for "dressing that way".

Judging by how he typed his nickname, probably thinks it makes sense.

Judging by how he typed his nickname, probably thinks it makes sense.
Umm, HOW I typed my nickname...whatever. Thanks, all, for your concern and advice but for the near future, I'll continue as am. The one type of harrassment I now only rarely receive is the nuisiance type- yelling, honking and hoogies. In almost a year, I've yet to reexperience the serious, near-death-experience stuff (shot with a paintball gun, hit on my collarbone with a bottle, fast food joint soda cups etc.). In these instances, BTW, getting a plate number or a description of the fiends was impossible as I was preoccupied with trying not fall on my a**!

Umm, HOW I typed my nickname...whatever. Thanks, all, for your concern and advice but for the near future, I'll continue as am. The one type of harrassment I now only rarely receive is the nuisance type- yelling, honking and hoogies. In almost a year, I've yet to reexperience the serious, near-death-experience stuff (shot with a paintball gun, hit on my collarbone with a bottle, fast food joint soda cups etc.). In these instances, BTW, getting a plate number or a description of the fiends was impossible as I was preoccupied with trying not fall on my a**!

Using cover of darkness, some jerks just feel that they won't be caught, so they're more willing to take the chance to harass you. Since most of them don't ride bikes, they probably are somewhat unaware of the injuries you might suffer if you crashed. They don't think before they act. If you had a chance to observe a lot of these folks in their daily life, you'd realize how tragically inadequate their intelligence is.

They don't think before they act. If you had a chance to observe a lot of these folks in their daily life, you'd realize how tragically inadequate their intelligence is.

Sadly, I've had this realisation on many occasions.